Jenna had taken the task of calling her parents very seriously, contacting her father's cellphone around the same time every morning since the day after she'd disappeared. Around 10am she promptly borrowed Mike's phone, and called her dad's personal number.

His voice greeted her, instantly hopeful. "Hello?"

"Hey, Dad - it's me."

"I'm always relieved to hear your voice, Jenna. Listen, I have some good news. Three men were picked up last night - the FBI has evidence that links them to Central Park and your abduction. I know there were more individuals involved, but it's a start. We'd like to get you back, honey. This is taking a toll on both your mother and me. We won't be able to relax until we know where you are...preferably with us."

There was a long pause on her end as she weighed her words. "Can you do the thing where you tell the Press we're going one place, and actually go somewhere else?"

"Yes, Jenna, of course. Your safety is more important to us than anything else."

"Yeah, I think the terrorists were counting on that," she said flatly, even as she was suddenly overwhelmed by guilt from keeping them in the dark for days. "All right. I'll talk to my guys here, and figure out a good way to meet back up. I'll call you later today, okay?"

"Yes. I love you. We can't wait to see you."

"I love you too - I'll call you later."

When Michael hung up his cell, he couldn't hold in a grin.

Victoria looked like she was going to bolt out of her chair. "What did she say?"

"She's ready to return. Jenna said she would talk to them today...whoever they are...and call me with details later. We're getting her back, Vic!"

They embraced in a surge of relief, kissing briefly.

"We need to get away for a while, so please come up with something quickly," Michael requested. "I'm going to meet with Director Helms, and get his recommendation on how to proceed."

"Just keep your cellphone on you," she warned him with outstretched finger.

"I haven't let it out of my sight in days - I won't start now."

As Victoria left his office, Michael picked up the handset receiver from his desk.

"Mrs. Laurel, will you please summon Security Director Helms to my office? Thank you."

In minutes there was a knock at the door, and Michael called for him to come in. The Director was a tall swarthy man permanently attached to his ear-piece, and just the person Michael needed to talk to. The diplomat motioned for him to sit, and happily informed him of his conversation with Jenna minutes prior.

"I'm counting on you to make sure she comes back in safely, and that everything is handled correctly on our end. We also need to release a statement concerning a fake itinerary to the Press. We won't be returning to Australia directly, but it needs to look as though we are."

"Yes, Sir - of course, I'm on it. Let me know when she calls you back. I'll be working on this side in the meantime. Maybe I can rustle us up some Secret Service."

"Thank you, Owen. I'll call you after she gets in touch with me."

"I'll be waiting, Sir. I may be out of the building to work on some of this, but you'll be able to reach me."

Owen left the Diplomat's office a few minutes later, after helping pen a press release. He walked briskly down the hall, taking the elevator back down to the lobby. His stride was one of purpose and authority; as such no one would ever thought to second-guess him. He'd been with this office too long. And Owen was counting on that.

He retrieved his car and pulled out of the building's garage, merging smoothly with the New York City traffic. His fingers tapped impatiently on the steering wheel as he drove through mid-town, only pulling over when he reached a neighborhood somewhat out of the way. He yanked the top off a hidden compartment under his passenger seat, and pulled out a disposable cellphone.

Swiftly he dialed the arranged phone number, and waited for someone to answer.

"Davis," he said shortly when an agitated accent picked up."That had better be you."

The other man huffed angrily. "I was beginning to think you would never call back, or had betrayed us entirely! You were supposed to be in touch days ago, Director. Do you have any idea what my people are going through?!"

"Now, wait a minute. Slow down, I can't-"

"This was not the contingency agreement we discussed! If you claim you know nothing about the men arrested yesterday, I may turn on you myself!"

"Of course I know! I'm the Director of Security, how could I not know?"

"And yet, you did nothing. Probably tried to make yourself look good, even as my partners were carted off."

"I'm sorry about that, Davis, but the FBI is running the show now. There wasn't anything I could do! I don't see how you can blame me for any of this. I gift-wrapped that girl for you. I told you when, where, and how. I created the opportunity - it isn't my fault you couldn't hold on to her!"

"You seem to be conveniently forgetting your own failure in all of this. We are not going under alone, Helms. I swear, if any more of my men are picked off, I'll roll over on you faster than you can blink!"

"All right, all right, shut up! Don't you want to know why I'm calling? She's getting ready to come out of hiding! You might have another chance not to screw this up. How many men do you have left?"

"Around twenty, but I don't want to risk losing them all in another high-risk venture! How do you intend to make sure we aren't subjected to any more interruptions? Don't suppose you'll set your fake loyalty aside to come out of hiding like the rest of us."

Owen glowered at the man's insolence, but his tone remained calm. "I don't know how much time we have yet, but if this is going to work, blowing my cover isn't the way to do it."

"Right, because we're always the ones taking all the risks!"

"Would you just stop? Your people need some new disguises. I'm thinking more along the lines of Secret Service. You can do this, and I've already provided plenty of incentive. Finish the job, and you'll get the other half. But stop threatening me in the meantime, because it won't save your own skin. Your people are guilty regardless. The only way the rest of you are getting out unscathed is by cooperating with me."

"It's hard to cooperate when you disappear off the map. I would rather carry out the deal amicably, but you have to hold up your end. Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on the wretch again. She almost broke my wrist at the museum, and I'm going to enjoy watching her suffer."

Owen sighed. "I know we've been over the whole 'elimination' issue, but I still want you to consider taking it easy on her. She's only a kid. You're not going to gain anything from torturing her. Make it fast and quick. Do try to control your weapons this time - you left WAY too much evidence behind for the Feds to follow up on. I will call you back when her father gives me the details."

"You have no right to tell us how to work. We should be receiving extra compensation for this, considering the increased risks we're taking. I don't actually need your direction at all, the way you already abandoned us in the thick of things."

"I have no choice but to lay low, Davis! I'm too close to the Diplomats. Do your job, and then we can talk about the rest of your compensation. And this time, finish it properly, because it's probably going to be your last shot on US soil."